June 28, 2011

I’m going to let my wonderful readers and friends decide.

Here are the mockups for two covers, same book. When I wrote it originally, the title came from the carvings on the castle door and the myth of the dragon tree, which I shall quote here:

When a pure heart enters, the dragons will awake to fly in six directions. The dragon of the nether region will flee from despair and bring hope. The dragon of heaven will arrive with the gift of true love and from the four corners of the earth will come Peace, Health, Wisdom, and Happiness.

Not only did the quote never make it into the front of the book, but my title, which was The Dragon Tree, was changed to My Forever Love by the editor, who thought my readers might be *confused* and think I was suddenly writing science fiction fantasy.

*snort*

So now I have a choice. I can reissue the ebook with MY title, as originally planned. Or I can keep their title. If I change the title, great pains will be taken to ensure the readers are not misled into buying a book they already have. I’ll post it in the book description as well as inside the copyright page.

The book is a medieval. The story involves a disgraced, excommunicated Templar Knight and a damsel genuinely in distress, being hunted by a beastly exhusband named Odo. I briefly thought of renaming HIM as well, but one change is enough to contemplate. Here then are the covers. I’ll leave it to you to decide.

Share this:

Like this:

Related

I like the new title “The Dragon Tree.” It works with what you have described the content of the storyline. I really like the cover, too. A bold knight which would signify the medieval time period with the “hint” of some sizzle with the couple in the corner. Yep, like it!

Thank you Casey. I had to have that hint of sizzle, despite a certain someone saying it was fine without it LOL (that would be Jill Metcalf, aka, my Cover Critic, who huddles with the Coach and between them decide yay or nay when I send them cover mock-ups)

Having read this book several times (and loved it more each time) I think the correct title should be The Dragon Tree. The story of the myth is a good one and better connects with the ‘tormented’ soul of the lead character who finds escape through the love of the female lead. I think the myth deserves a stronger mention so the title would be a good place to do this. Also, I don’t really see their love as a Forever love as it has not been a long enduring one but rather it sneaked up on them at a time when they have been battered and bruised by life, left slightly hollow and not expecting to feel something so beautiful.
Just my two cents worth, either way I love the new cover!

Suzanne, I think you nailed it, and that was exactly my feeling at the time when I chose the title The Dragon Tree…the legend said it all…hope for redeeming the two characters who were so lost in the beginning of the story. Thank you for expressing it better than I could *s*

My Forever Love is a generic title that could go on almost any romance.
The Dragon Tree is perfect for the book and with an explanation of why
the book has the new title, readers who’ve read the book will understand and
probably buy it again.

Short and sweet; The Dragon Tree by far has my vote! I read this book several times as it is one of my favorites and I think the new title will highlight the true essence of the story-as the author depicted 🙂

I am with with “The Dragon Tree” team. It suits the story as opposed to the romanticized published title MC did not prefer. I’m sure folks will know it’s the same book with a different title. Others will be introduced to a great MC book for the first time. The cover art leaves no doubt the book is about a medieval romance.

As much as I would love for you to get the title you wanted I’ll play the practical side and just say: keep the title as is. Casual readers will get confused and think it’s a new book and it will confuse and confuddle people. But I love the cover! And I can’t wait to dl the e-book!

Sunshineyness…thank you for your input, and that’s what concerns me. Readers who may buy it without noticing all the mentions I will make about changing the title. Even right on the front page. And on the sale page. I still have a week or so to think about it. *sigh*

I am a relatively new fan and have read almost every e-book so I am THRILLED this is going to be released. I am voting for The Dragon Tree title solely based on agreeing with some of the other comments that the old title is somewhat generic. I can’t wait to read it no matter what you call it!!! BTW…I just downloaded Iron Rose

Putting in a lonely vote for “My Forever Love.” Yes, it’s a tad generic. But it ensures a lack of reader-confusion, and there’s nothing on the cover that indicates “tree-ness” to me, whereas there ARE lovers. I’m a believer in title and cover art working together, when possible. :wishful thinking:

(That said, I think some others here have better reasons for favoring ‘Tree.’)

I look for interesting titles in Romance novels. “The Dragon Tree” would get my attention while “My Forever Love” might just get past by since it tells me nothing about the book other than it is a romance novel AND uh duh I already would know that since I’m standing in the romance novel section.
Suzanne

I know I’m a little late to the party but if it is still up for debate, my vote is for “The Dragon Tree.” Honestly, I never really like the original title, it just didn’t seem to fit, either with the story or with the rest of your books 🙂